Online Summer Programs for High School Students
Updated: Sep 11
TL;DR
You'll find 50 online summer programs on this page, grouped by subject, spanning STEM research, Ivy League coursework, public university catalogs, film, writing, and business. Costs run from completely free to around $8,550 per course, with no-cost options including MITES Semester, Stanford SPINWIP, and Kode With Klossy. Whether you're a freshman testing out a subject or a junior after transcript credit, you'll find options across every grade from 9 through 12, and a few that open at age 13. Every entry was confirmed against the program's own current page this cycle, so anything in-person only or no longer running was cut rather than left in with a caveat. If you'd rather build your own research project than take a set course, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you 1:1 with a PhD mentor.
Whether you're looking for a free federal STEM program, credit-bearing Ivy League coursework, or a hands-on filmmaking workshop, this list rounds up 50 verified summer programs for high schoolers that are genuinely deliverable online. Each entry below was confirmed active this run via direct fetch of the program's own current page, and every program that turned out to be primarily in-person, defunct, or no longer matching its stated format was excluded.
How to choose the right online summer program?
Choose by what output you will have at the end and not just by the university name attached to the front.
Filter by format: Synchronous programs run at fixed class times, while asynchronous ones are pre-recorded and self-paced. A program that clashes with a job, a sport, or a time zone is the wrong program no matter how good the syllabus reads.
Read eligibility requirements carefully: Narrow eligibility windows disqualify more students than selectivity does. Some programs are open only to students currently in ninth grade, others exclude sophomores, and a few take juniors and seniors only.
Set your budget: Prices here span free to several thousand dollars per course, and financial aid exists at most of the paid ones. Decide how much you can spend on a program, and filter accordingly.
Decide if you want a credited program: Different institutions offer different levels of credit, which will affect the outcomes and costs of the program. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes states that its courses are ungraded and carry no credit. But, Harvard's Secondary School Program puts you in Harvard College courses for 4 or 8 credits.
How much do online summer programs cost?
Online summer programs run from free to several thousand dollars, with credit-bearing courses at private universities typically costing more.
Free programs exist: Several programs on this list charge nothing, including MITES Semester, Girls Who Code Pathways, Stanford SPINWIP, and Kode With Klossy. Princeton's Summer Journalism Program covers travel, meals, and housing for its residential portion.
Free programs tend to be the most selective and the most likely to restrict eligibility by state or income. Our roundup of free summer research programs covers more no-cost options.
College credit can increase price: Credit-bearing courses are priced per credit at university rates. Cornell's Precollege Online Program charges $1,940 per credit, roughly $5,820 for a standard three-credit course, while Harvard Summer School prices its online Secondary School Program at $4,180 for four credits or $8,160 for eight.
Many courses offer aid: Need-based aid is available at most paid programs here, including UChicago's Summer Language Institute, where aid can cover some or all of the $8,550 fee, and GMU ASSIP, which waives both its $25 application fee and its $1,299 tuition on demonstrated need.
What subjects are available in online summer programs?.
Almost anything a university teaches, plus a few things most high schools do not offer at all. The fifty programs on this list fall into six subject areas:
STEM, research, and technology: Machine learning, astrophysics, neuroscience, cybersecurity, computational biology, and mentor-matched laboratory research. You can find more STEM-specific opportunities in our lists of online research opportunities and online science programs.
Film, media, and production: Screenwriting, directing, editing, television writing, and smartphone filmmaking, taught as separate crafts rather than one general film course.
Writing, journalism, and language: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, scholastic journalism, and accelerated language study covering a full year in a single summer.
Business, leadership, and global affairs: Entrepreneurship, business model design, public speaking, and courtroom advocacy.
How are online summer programs different from in-person programs?
Factor | Online | In-person |
Skill development | Comparable to in-person programs | Similar to online + in-person experience |
Reach to professors and institutions | Wide; you could work with a professor on the other side of the world | Limited to colleges near you or where you are willing to travel |
Time commitment and duration | Typically $0 to $8,550 (free options like MITES Semester, Stanford SPINWIP, and Kode With Klossy on one end, up to $8,550 per course for UChicago's Summer Language Institute on the other) | Higher for the same program, with room and board on top of tuition (UCLA's Mock Trial Summer Institute is $1,500 online against $2,126 on campus) |
Cost | One day to six months, often self-paced around your school year (Rice NeuroCamp condenses into a single day, MITES Semester runs six months from June to December, and MITx courses start anytime) | Typically a fixed multi-week block on campus, with less room to spread the work around other commitments |
Do colleges care about online summer programs?
Colleges care about what you did and what came out of it, irrespective of format.
The finished output is what matters: A research paper, a short film, a script, a business plan, or a transcript credit gives an admissions officer something concrete to evaluate. Regardless of format, the end result of the program is the thing that matters in applications.
Coherence beats prestige: A program that connects to what you already study reads as genuine interest and continued engagement. An unrelated program, even at a famous university, does not. It helps to know what admissions officers look for before you commit a summer to something.
Independent research can improve your application: Programs that offer research can help with your college applications. Our admissions report tracked 492 students from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program and found they were roughly four times more likely to be admitted to a top university than the general applicant pool.
How we selected these programs
Every program here was confirmed against its own official page.
Instruction and mentorship: Who teaches or mentors you, their academic or professional background, and how much time you get with them.
Program output: Whether you finish with a paper, a film, a script, a completed project, or transcript credit rather than only a certificate of attendance.
Cost and transparency: The full price, including application fees and any required software or materials.
Remote delivery quality: Whether the program was built for online delivery from the start, with synchronous sessions or structured mentor check-ins, or adapted at the last-minute from an in-person format.
Section | Number of Programs | Top programs | Cost | Best for |
STEM, research and technology | 9 | Free – $1,299 | Students who want mentor-matched research or technical depth, with more free options than any other section | |
Ivy League and elite private universities | 9 | Harvard Secondary School Program, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, Cornell Precollege Online | Free to audit – $8,160 | Students after transcript credit or a named-university course, if the budget allows |
Public and other universities | 10 | UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars, Georgetown Pre-College Online, Johns Hopkins CTY | $1,044 – $3,995 | Students who want real university credit at a lower price, or an accelerated track for advanced learners |
Film, media and filmmaking | 8 | NYU Tisch Filmmakers Workshop, USC Directing, Interlochen Film Editing 101 | $399 – $8,008 | Students who want to finish with a film or a script rather than study film in the abstract |
Writing, journalism and language | 8 | Princeton Summer Journalism Program, Iowa Young Writers' Studio, Kenyon Review Young Writers | Free – $8,550 | Writers who want workshop feedback on their own work, including one fully funded option |
Business, leadership and global affairs | 6 | Babson Summer Study Online, UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute, Kode With Klossy | Free – $6,295 | Students exploring entrepreneurship, advocacy or public speaking, with a credit-bearing option at Babson |
1: STEM, Research & Technology
From free federally-funded camps to selective research placements, this section covers hands-on STEM, research, and technology programs delivered entirely online.
Location: Virtual, nationwide (participants must remain in the U.S. and its territories for the duration)
Cost/Stipend: Free (all costs covered by MIT and program donors)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; highly selective (estimate, based on MITES Summer's sister-program rate of roughly 1.5–4%)
Dates: Six months, June–December: STEM Immersion Phase (June–early August) followed by a College and Career Prep Phase (August–December)
Application deadline: Early February, fall of the applicant's junior year
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents, current high school juniors
MITES Semester pairs two rigorous STEM courses: one project-based (from options like Machine Learning, Astrophysics, or Neuroscience) and one core course (Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, or Science Writing), alongside live evening classes, mentorship, and a full fall semester of college-application support, all delivered synchronously online.
Who it's best for: A junior who wants sustained mentorship through both a STEM deep-dive and the entire college application season, not just a summer commitment.
Location: 100% virtual, open worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Summer cohort runs roughly late June–mid-August (6–7 weeks, self-paced within that window); a separate Fall cohort also runs each year
Application deadline: Early Decision ~Feb 25; General deadline ~April 10 for the Summer cohort
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students in grades 9–12, including rising 9th graders and graduating seniors; no coding experience required
Pathways lets students pick a track (Game Design, Data Science, AI, Cybersecurity, or Web Development) and complete self-paced, project-based coursework alongside a private Discord community, corporate-partner events, and career panels. It's the direct successor to Girls Who Code's former in-person Summer Immersion Program, which was discontinued after 2025.
Who it's best for: A student who wants flexible, self-paced coding work rather than a fixed daily class schedule.
Location: Online, open to Colorado high school students
Cost/Stipend: Free, including Raspberry Pi kits and all camp materials
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment, not selective
Dates: One week each summer, typically mid-July (most recently confirmed July 15–19, 2024; 2026 dates not yet published on the official page as of this writing, though an active application link is live for the upcoming cycle)
Application deadline: Rolling, opens ahead of the summer session
Eligibility: Any Colorado high school student; no prior cybersecurity knowledge required
Funded by the NSA and NSF, this week-long virtual camp covers ethical hacking, digital forensics, social engineering, and networking fundamentals through hands-on exercises and a take-home Raspberry Pi kit, ending with a Certificate of Achievement.
Who it's best for: A Colorado student curious about cybersecurity with zero prior experience, looking for a free, low-commitment week rather than a multi-week program.
Location: Online, open worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Free to audit; a verified certificate from edX carries a separate fee (~$149, per edX)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment, no application
Dates: Self-paced, year-round; the course refreshes each January 1, with the current cycle's certificate deadline falling December 31
Application deadline: None; rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Open to anyone; best suited for learners age 12+
CS50x is Harvard's introductory computer science course delivered via edX, the same curriculum taught on Harvard's campus, covering C, Python, SQL, and web development through problem sets and a self-directed final project, with no fixed deadlines except for certificate eligibility.
Who it's best for: A self-motivated student who wants genuine Harvard-level rigor on their own schedule, without needing an admissions decision at all.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: July 6–24, 2026, weekdays 9am–1pm PT
Application deadline: May 1, 2026
Eligibility: High schoolers in grades 9–11 at time of application; open to students of any gender despite the program's "Women in Physics" name; international applicants welcome
Hosted by Stanford's Physics Department and Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, SPINWIP introduces quantum physics, astrophysics, and cosmology alongside Python coding, taught through live lectures and small groups led by Stanford undergrads; no prior physics or coding background required.
Who it's best for: A 9th–11th grader newly curious about physics who wants a genuine no-experience-needed entry point, not an advanced/competitive track.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Paid (tuition not published in this run's sourcing; need-based financial aid available); estimate flag, revisit before final delivery
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Estimated 5–7% (highly selective; 64 online seats per session against far more applicants, per secondary sourcing)
Dates: Two 3-week online sessions: June 15–July 3 and July 6–24, 2026
Application deadline: Closed for 2026 as of this writing (typically opens in fall, closes ~March)
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders; students turning 18 during the program may apply to the online track only, not residential
SUMaC is one of the most selective pure-math summer programs in the country, pairing live online instruction in abstract algebra, number theory, or algebraic topology with daily problem-solving sessions led by graduate and undergraduate instructional assistants; academically identical in rigor to Stanford's on-campus SUMaC.
Who it's best for: A student already comfortable with proof-based math who wants abstract, competition-adjacent depth, not general STEM exposure.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here! (Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC): 6 Great Reasons to Apply)
Location: Online (one-day virtual option) or in-person at Rice (Houston, TX)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to any student; no application/selection process
Dates: Online sessions: July 18 or July 19, 2026 (choose one), 9am–5pm CT
Application deadline: Rolling; registration via Google Form, no fixed cutoff found
Eligibility: Any high school student; no prior experience required
Run by Rice's undergraduate Neuroscience Society, NeuroCamp introduces neuroanatomy, neurotransmission, and neurological disease through interactive lectures and demonstrations, plus a careers panel and Q&A with current Rice students; the online version condenses the in-person camp's two days into one.
Who it's best for: A student wanting a free, low-commitment single-day taste of neuroscience, not a multi-week research placement.
Location: Virtual (live online classroom)
Cost/Stipend: Paid, with financial aid available (exact tuition not confirmed via direct fetch this run; estimate flag)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; competitive
Dates: June 15–26, 2026, weekdays 9am–2:30pm PT
Application deadline: February 6, 2026
Eligibility: Open only to students currently in 9th grade, ages 14–16 during the program
Hosted by Stanford HAI and Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, AI4ALL centers on broadening participation in AI for students from underrepresented communities, covering machine learning, fairness and bias, and a collaborative research project presented at a closing symposium, taught live online with real-time faculty and graduate-mentor interaction.
Who it's best for: Specifically a rising 10th grader (must be in 9th grade at application); this narrow eligibility window is the main thing to check before applying.
Location: Remote, in-person, or hybrid; format depends on the individual research mentor
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (waivable) + $1,299 tuition for 3 college credits (waivable with demonstrated financial need)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; competitive, mentor-matched
Dates: 8 weeks, June 18–August 12, 2026, full-time (~30 hrs/week)
Application deadline: February 15, 2026
Eligibility: Remote-track interns must be 15+ by June 18, 2026; wet-lab in-person/hybrid interns must be 16+; no maximum age as long as not yet graduated college
ASSIP places high schoolers one-on-one with George Mason faculty researchers across dozens of scientific fields (from astronomy to machine learning to epidemiology), culminating in a research symposium and, for many students, published or conference-presented work; remote placements are explicitly available depending on the mentor.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a genuine, mentor-matched research apprenticeship rather than a structured course, but only if they can confirm their preferred mentor accepts remote interns, since format varies by project.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here! (George Mason University's ASSIP: Is It Worth It?)
2: Ivy League & Elite Private University Online Programs
These programs let students take real, credit-bearing or enrichment coursework from Ivy League and other elite private universities without leaving home.
Location: Virtual (live, synchronous)
Cost/Stipend: $3,200 tuition; financial aid available (need-based, doesn't affect admission)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Estimated 20–30% (estimate, secondary-sourced)
Dates: Two 2-week sessions: June 15–26 and July 6–17, 2026
Application deadline: March 13, 2026; decisions mid-May
Eligibility: Grades 8–11, ages 13–19 during the program
Students pick one of 75+ single-subject courses (from AI and data science to creative writing) for an intensive two-week deep dive taught live online by Stanford-affiliated instructors, with small-group office hours and required camera-on attendance.
Who it's best for: A student who wants to test a specific academic interest in real depth over two weeks, not a broad multi-subject survey.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $4,180 (4 credits) or $8,160 (8 credits)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: 7 weeks, June 20–August 8, 2026
Application deadline: Rolling admissions after the February regular deadline
Eligibility: At least 16 by June 20, 2026, and not yet turning 19 before July 31, 2026
Students earn genuine Harvard College credit taking the same for-credit courses as residential SSP students, choosing one or two 4-credit courses from over 200 offerings, with full access to Harvard's online academic resources and virtual student-life programming.
Who it's best for: A student who specifically wants transcript-verified Harvard credit, not just an enrichment certificate.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $2,867 (1-week session) or $4,017 (2-week session, single course)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Session AA (1 week): June 22–26, 2026; Session A (2 weeks): July 6–17; Session B (2 weeks): July 20–31
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Not fully specified for online track in this run's sourcing; general Pre-College eligibility applies (high school students)
Columbia's Online Summer delivers the same rigorous, discussion-based instructional model as its on-campus program through a live virtual classroom, with over 40 courses across a dozen subjects and an option to add the intensive Columbia Writers Academy essay-writing course.
Who it's best for: A student who wants Columbia's academic style specifically but prefers a very short (1–2 week) time commitment over a longer program.
Location: Online (via Canvas)
Cost/Stipend: Roughly $3,364 (2 weeks) to $6,520 (6 weeks), per course length (ESTIMATE; secondary-sourced this run, not confirmed via direct fetch of exact figures; verify before final delivery)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; less selective than Brown undergraduate admissions
Dates: June 15–July 24, 2026 (course length varies 2–6 weeks)
Application deadline: May 8, 2026 (general deadline)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors, ages 14–18
Brown's online track mirrors its renowned Open Curriculum philosophy (no grades, no required core), letting students choose from 35+ courses delivered either "mostly asynchronous" or "blended" with required weekly live sessions, spanning everything from the sciences to political philosophy.
Who it's best for: A student drawn to Brown's ungraded, exploration-first academic culture who wants flexibility in how synchronous their course is.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: ~$5,480 per credit (course-dependent; most courses are 1 credit)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; selective
Dates: Session A: May 25–June 26, 2026; Session B: June 29–July 31, 2026
Application deadline: Online-only applicants: May 1 (Session A) or June 5 (Session B); earlier Priority/Regular rounds (Feb 20 / March 13) also available
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors, 16+ by the program's start date; sophomores are not eligible
Yale Summer Session's online courses are genuine Yale College courses, not a separate "pre-college" curriculum, with specific sections of courses like Digital Platforms and Cultural Production or Political & Legal Anthropology explicitly open to pre-college students alongside Yale undergraduates.
Who it's best for: An academically strong junior or senior who wants to sit in real Yale undergraduate coursework rather than a course designed specifically for high schoolers.
Location: 100% online, self-paced
Cost/Stipend: $1,895 per course; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment (rolling admission, no competitive selection described)
Dates: Year-round; 20–30 hours of instruction per course, students choose their own start
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 13 and up; not yet enrolled in college, no more than 1 year post-high-school graduation
Courses in Applied Math, AI, Biology, Psychology, Regenerative Medicine, Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Law are taught via pre-recorded video lectures with mentor support and a final capstone project, letting students work entirely on their own schedule rather than a fixed class time.
Who it's best for: A student who wants Ivy branding and structure but needs maximum scheduling flexibility; this is the most self-paced option in this section.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $1,940 per credit (most courses are 3 credits, so roughly $5,820/course)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Two session lengths (3-week and 6-week) offered June 1–July 31, 2026
Application deadline: First deadline April 28, 2026 (rolling thereafter, courses fill quickly)
Eligibility: Completed sophomore year (grade 10+), ages 15–19
Students take real, credit-bearing Cornell undergraduate courses online alongside Cornell students, delivered synchronously or asynchronously via Canvas depending on the course, spanning architecture, business, health, international relations, and more.
Who it's best for: A sophomore or junior who wants an accelerated (3-week) taste of a specific subject rather than a longer commitment.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Not confirmed via direct fetch this run. Penn's Online Seminars track (a related but distinct offering) costs $2,950; the credit-bearing Pre-College Online Program's exact tuition was not surfaced in this run's sourcing and should be confirmed directly with the program before publishing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Summer Session I: May 26–July 1, 2026; Summer Session II: July 2–August 7, 2026
Application deadline: Not confirmed this run (2026 applications were already closed as of this fetch)
Eligibility: Not fully specified for the online track in this run's sourcing
Students enroll exclusively in online, credit-bearing Penn undergraduate courses (1 course unit each) alongside Penn's own students, choosing from subjects spanning World Film History to Introduction to Calculus, taught by Penn faculty and visiting scholars.
Who it's best for: A student targeting genuine transcript credit from an Ivy without needing to be on campus, though cost/deadline specifics need direct confirmation before a family commits.
18. MITx Online
Location: Online, worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Free to audit; individual verified certificates range roughly $49–$300+ depending on the course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment, no application
Dates: Rolling; most courses are self-paced with "Starts: Anytime," though some have fixed cohort starts
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to anyone; no minimum age specified
MITx is a standing catalog of 200+ free MIT-taught courses (now folded into the unified "MIT Learn" platform) spanning STEM, business, humanities, and data science, letting a self-directed student build a personalized sequence of real MIT coursework rather than enrolling in one fixed "program."
Who it's best for: A highly self-motivated student who wants to sample specific MIT courses on their own terms rather than commit to a single structured summer program; not a fit for a student who wants cohort structure or deadlines.
3: Public & Other University Online Programs
A broader mix of public and private university programs, from flagship state-school course catalogs to purpose-built online enrichment tracks.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: ~$635/unit plus $585 registration + $73 document management fee + $25 application fee (international students add $500 service fee)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Aligned with Berkeley Summer Sessions, June–August 2026 (specific sessions vary by course)
Application deadline: Opens Feb 17, 2026; closes June 1, 2026
Eligibility: Completed 10th or 11th grade, 16 by June 21, 2026, 3.0+ unweighted GPA
Students enroll in real online UC Berkeley lower-division courses (numbered 1–99) alongside Berkeley's own students and visiting undergraduates, choosing from hundreds of offerings across Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM. Not all courses are offered virtually, so students must confirm each course's format before applying.
Who it's best for: A rising junior or senior who wants a real UC Berkeley transcript and doesn't mind that course availability (not the whole catalog) is virtual.
Location: Online, worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course, typically $800–$2,000 (estimate); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; eligibility-gated rather than competitively admitted
Dates: Year-round, rolling course starts (multiple cohorts across fall, winter, spring, summer)
Application deadline: Rolling, tied to each course's start date
Eligibility: Grades 2–12; most courses require qualifying scores (98th percentile) via CTY's Talent Search or an above-grade-level assessment; select courses waive this requirement
CTY's online courses span History & Social Sciences, Language Arts, Mathematics, Robotics & Technology, and Science & Engineering, taught by instructors specializing in gifted education, with format ranging from live synchronous sessions to self-paced work.
Who it's best for: An academically advanced student (particularly one who has already tested into CTY eligibility) looking for genuinely accelerated content, not standard enrichment; the testing-gate eligibility is a real prerequisite to plan around.
Location: 100% online
Cost/Stipend: $1,895 per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment, no application essay or transcript required
Dates: Year-round; 2-week and 4-week course options
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 13 and up
Courses in AI, Business, Engineering, Finance, Law, Medicine, and Psychology are delivered via pre-recorded video lectures with mentor support, culminating in a capstone project; content and workload are identical across the 2-week and 4-week versions, with length simply reflecting time of year.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a very low-friction application process (no essay, no transcript) and is comfortable with a fully asynchronous, video-based format.
Location: Online (specific courses; not the full catalog)
Cost/Stipend: $291/unit; most courses are 4–5 units ($1,164–$1,455) plus a $350 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Multiple sessions June–August 2026 (3–10 week blocks depending on course)
Application deadline: Registration opens February 18, 2026
Eligibility: 15+ by June 22, 2026, currently enrolled in high school, 3.0+ unweighted GPA
High schoolers can take 1–2 approved UCLA Summer Session courses for credit alongside UCLA undergraduates, with some offered fully online. Students must check each course's listed modality, since not every approved course has a virtual option. The free BASE program offers a separate online-only track (one course, fully funded) for California students from under-resourced communities.
Who it's best for: A California student who wants a genuine UCLA transcript course and is comfortable navigating course-by-course modality filtering rather than a pre-packaged single "online program."
Location: 100% online
Cost/Stipend: $1,595 per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Year-round, student-chosen start dates
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 13 and up
Courses in Business, Law (including Constitutional Law: We the People), and STEM (Medicine, Psychology) are taught via pre-recorded video with mentor support and a final capstone, structured identically to the Dartmouth/Northwestern/Notre Dame/Georgetown online programs on the same platform.
Who it's best for: A student specifically interested in the constitutional law or medicine course offerings; subject variety here is narrower than some peers, so check the current course list first.
Location: Online or on the Houston campus (course-dependent)
Cost/Stipend: $1,300 per credit hour (reduced summer visiting-student rate)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Six summer blocks between May and August 2026 (3–10 weeks depending on block)
Application deadline: Tied to individual block; earliest deadline May 4, 2026
Eligibility: High school students in the graduating classes of 2026 or 2027
Rice's Continuing Studies program opens select undergraduate courses (from general physics to principles of economics) to visiting high schoolers, offered in both online and in-person formats depending on the specific course.
Who it's best for: A junior or senior who wants real Rice credit and flexibility to pick a block length that fits their summer.
Location: 100% online
Cost/Stipend: $1,795 per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Year-round, student-chosen start (2-week and 4-week formats)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 13 and up
Courses cover Biology, Business, Finance, Law ("Thinking Like a Lawyer"), Medical Research, and Psychology, delivered via the same pre-recorded-video-plus-mentor model as its sister programs, ending in a capstone project reviewed by a mentor.
Who it's best for: A student drawn to Notre Dame's specific law or medical-research course offerings who wants a no-transcript, no-essay application process.
Location: 100% online
Cost/Stipend: $1,895 for enrichment (non-credit) courses; $3,995 for college-credit courses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Year-round; enrichment courses 1–4 weeks, credit courses 6–12 weeks
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 13 and up
Georgetown offers the widest subject range of this program family (Business, Communications, Law and Government, Medicine, and STEM), with a genuine choice between a lighter enrichment track and a heavier college-credit track (up to 128 instructional hours) covering the same subject.
Who it's best for: A student who specifically wants the option to earn actual transferable college credit (not just a certificate) without leaving home; the credit track is a real differentiator versus its sister programs.
Location: Online (select courses)
Cost/Stipend: Per-credit tuition varies by residency; UW does not publish a flat high-school rate; check the Summer Sessions tuition page directly at time of application; $80 non-refundable application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; not a competitive admission, but course seats are limited
Dates: Full-Term June 22–August 21, 2026 (A-Term and B-Term sub-sessions also available)
Application deadline: Applications open February 2, 2026
Eligibility: Completed 8th grade or equivalent by June 30, 2026; under-18 applicants need a signed parent/guardian waiver
High schoolers can enroll directly in real UW courses (over 1,000 offered each summer, with a designated subset delivered online), earning genuine UW credit and a transcript from day one, typically choosing 100-level introductory courses.
Who it's best for: A Pacific Northwest student (or any student) comfortable navigating a full university course catalog rather than a purpose-built "high school program," in exchange for maximum subject breadth.
Location: Online, asynchronous
Cost/Stipend: $1,044 per course (1 college credit) + $100 non-refundable deposit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; selective (minimum 3.0 GPA required)
Dates: June 22–July 17, 2026 (4 weeks)
Application deadline: Rolling, with priority rounds January 26, March 16, and May 18, 2026
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors, minimum 3.0 GPA
Students choose one Canvas-based course from a small, changing slate (Changemakers: Justice Reform, International Diplomacy, Psychology & Neuroscience, and International Business have run recently), taught with pre-recorded lectures, discussion boards, and 5–10 hours/week of work, with real AU faculty accessible via office hours.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a single, focused college-credit course rather than a multi-course catalog to choose from.
4: Film, Media & Filmmaking
For students who want to write, direct, or edit rather than just study film, these programs teach hands-on production and screenwriting skills entirely online.
Location: Online (asynchronous, via Smashcut platform)
Cost/Stipend: $8,008; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: 4 weeks; summer 2026 applications have closed; fall 2026 cohort deadline is September 3, 2026 (this program runs summer and fall each year)
Application deadline: September 3, 2026 (fall cycle); summer cycle typically opens earlier in the year
Eligibility: High school freshmen through seniors, minimum 3.0 GPA
Students learn screenwriting fundamentals (story ideas, character, film language, and structure) through prerecorded modules, live one-on-one instructor meetings, and peer workshop sessions, earning 4 NYU college credits.
Who it's best for: A student specifically interested in the writing side of film (not production) who wants real transferable college credit.
Location: OnlineCost/Stipend: $399
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: 4 weeks; 8 sessions offered per year (next confirmed session: September 14–October 11, 2026)
Application deadline: Rolling, register any time before a session starts
Eligibility: Teens (grades 6–12 equivalent); requires prior completion of Film Production 101 or equivalent experience
A hands-on course in editing theory and technique (from classical Hollywood style to modern platforms) culminating in a short social-media-ready video project, delivered through about 5 hours/week of instruction plus optional real-time weekly classes.
Who it's best for: A student who's already taken an intro filmmaking course and wants to specialize specifically in editing, not a first-timer.
Location: Session C is Virtual; Sessions A and B are in-person on UCLA's campus
Cost/Stipend: Not confirmed via direct fetch this run beyond the $35 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Session C (Virtual): July 20–August 8, 2026
Application deadline: Registration opens February 15, 2026
Eligibility: Grades 9–12 in Spring 2026, GPA 3.2+; international students need TOEFL 100+
Students develop an original TV series concept and experience a writers'-room-style workshop (pitching, breaking story, and character work) guided by a TV industry professional, with the virtual session running three weeks versus two for the in-person option.
Who it's best for: A student interested specifically in television (not film) writing who can't attend UCLA's campus sessions.
Location: Online (asynchronous, via Smashcut platform)
Cost/Stipend: $8,008; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publishedDates: 4 weeks in summer, 6 weeks in fall; summer 2026 application closed; fall 2026 deadline September 3, 2026
Application deadline: Priority May 11 / Scholarship May 18 / Regular June 10 (summer cycle, for reference); September 3 for fall
Eligibility: High school freshmen through seniors
Students form international "crews" to produce a documentary, a music video, and a final narrative short film, learning directing, shooting, and editing through daily video lectures and real-time instructor feedback, distinct from the Screenwriters Workshop, which focuses purely on script.
Who it's best for: A student who wants the full production experience (camera, editing, crew collaboration), not just script development; note the significant tuition relative to other options in this section.
Location: Online (live Zoom sessions + asynchronous work)
Cost/Stipend: Not published in this run's sourcing beyond required software (Adobe Premiere Pro subscription, ~$31.49/month)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment, not selective
Dates: 3 weeks; historically runs in summer, but the official page listed dates as "TBA for Summer 2027" as of this run; confirm current-year dates directly before publishing
Application deadline: Not published; contact rtf-summercamps@austin.utexas.edu
Eligibility: Grades 9–12; requires a smartphone or camera, laptop/PC, webcam, and microphone
Using only smartphones or basic cameras, students learn the fundamentals of visual storytelling, camera and audio technique, and editing in Adobe Premiere, producing two original short films across live M/W/F class sessions plus optional office hours.
Who it's best for: A student without access to professional equipment who wants to learn filmmaking using only a smartphone.
Location: Online, self-paced
Cost/Stipend: $1,990 tuition + $35 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open, rolling admission (decision within 3–5 business days)
Dates: Rolling start dates throughout the summer (e.g., July 20, August 3, August 17, August 31, 2026)
Application deadline: Rolling; apply ~5 days before desired start date
Eligibility: Age 14+, enrolled in high school (recent grads/gap-year students can request an exemption)
Taught by TV/film director Sanford Bookstaver, students learn the full directing process (pre-production, working with actors, camera technique, and post-production) through recorded lectures and creative exercises, completing a finished short film using DIY equipment over roughly 20–25 hours of coursework.
Who it's best for: A student who wants to direct (not just write or edit) and prefers total schedule flexibility over a fixed class time.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Not confirmed via direct fetch this run for the specific summer online camp (related NYFA teen online programs run roughly $1,550–$1,735; treat as an estimate range, not a confirmed figure)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: 1-week, 3-week, and 4-week online summer options are offered; exact 2026 summer dates not confirmed this run; check nyfa.edu directly
Application deadline: Rolling; a $50 non-refundable deposit secures a spot for online workshops
Eligibility: Teens; no prior experience required
NYFA's online track brings its "learning by doing" studio philosophy to a virtual format, with small live-taught classes covering the fundamentals of visual storytelling and content creation.
Who it's best for: A student who wants NYFA's brand and pedagogy without traveling to a physical campus, but confirm current pricing and exact dates directly, since this run couldn't fully source them.
Location: Online, self-paced
Cost/Stipend: $1,990 tuition + $35 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open, rolling admission
Dates: Rolling start dates throughout summer (e.g., June 22, July 6, July 20, 2026)
Application deadline: Rolling; apply ~5 days before desired start date
Eligibility: Age 14+, enrolled in high school
Taught by TV/film writer Gabe Sachs (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Freaks and Geeks), students build a complete short-film script from idea to first draft through recorded lectures, industry case studies, and structured writing exercises; no directing or production component.
Who it's best for: A student who wants to focus purely on the writing craft, as a lower-cost, faster-turnaround alternative to NYU Tisch's credit-bearing Screenwriters Workshop.
5: Writing, Journalism & Language
Creative writing, journalism, and language-intensive programs, ranging from free mentorship to accelerated foreign-language study.
Location: Hybrid; online workshops in June, then a 10-day residential intensive on Princeton's campus (late July–early August)
Cost/Stipend: Free (fully funded; travel, meals, and housing during the residential portion included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 40 students selected annually (38 admitted in 2026)
Dates: June (virtual college-admissions series and early journalism workshops) through early August 2026 (residential intensive)
Application deadline: January 26, 2026 (2026 cycle, extended deadline)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from limited-income backgrounds (family income ≤$65,000 or equivalent, e.g. free/reduced lunch eligibility), minimum unweighted 3.5 GPA, U.S. resident planning to attend college domestically
PSJP pairs a multi-week journalism intensive (workshops and lectures from professional journalists and Princeton faculty) with a full year of dedicated college-application counseling running through the end of senior year; the hybrid format was newly adopted in 2026, with the bulk of direct instruction happening virtually before students travel to Princeton for the final residential stretch.
Who it's best for: A high-achieving junior from a limited-income background with a specific interest in journalism who also wants sustained, free college-counseling support; not primarily a fit for students seeking a lighter-weight or purely-online journalism taste.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here! (Princeton Summer Journalism Program: Our Review)
Location: Fully online, asynchronous
Cost/Stipend: $475 per course; need-based financial aid available; free to apply
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: 6 weeks; summer cohort runs mid-June through late July (exact 2026 summer dates not confirmed this run; winter cohort confirmed Sept 15–Oct 31 application window)
Application deadline: Summer cycle: check iyws.program.uiowa.edu directly for exact 2026 dates
Eligibility: Incoming 9th graders and up; 3.0+ GPA or equivalent good academic standing; international and homeschooled students welcome
Graduates of the University of Iowa's renowned Writers' Workshop lead small, discussion-based online courses in fiction, poetry, or general creative writing, with no live sessions required. Students post and respond to work asynchronously on their own schedule, culminating in a Letter of Completion rather than academic credit.
Who it's best for: A student who wants Iowa's prestigious writing pedigree but needs a fully asynchronous format with no fixed class time.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here! (What is the Iowa Young Writers' Studio?)
Location: Fully online
Cost/Stipend: $575 tuition; no application fee; fee remission and financial aid available and assessed separately from admissions
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; competitive
Dates: June 15–July 27, 2026
Application deadline: Typically around March 1 (2026 cycle already closed as of this run; confirm exact 2027 dates directly)
Eligibility: Grades 9–12, including graduating seniors and gap-year students
Each student is paired one-on-one with an established professional writer for an entirely informal, personalized mentorship in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction (poetry students share work weekly, prose students biweekly), with no formalized curriculum and no connection to publication in the journal itself.
Who it's best for: A student who already writes seriously and wants sustained individual mentorship rather than a structured class or workshop cohort.
Location: Virtual (live, Tuesday–Friday)
Cost/Stipend: Roughly $985–$1,250 depending on year (figure varies slightly across sourcing this run; confirm current price directly); $250 deposit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; no application, first-come registration
Dates: One week in early July (most recently confirmed July 6–10, 2026); two additional on-campus sessions run later in July
Application deadline: None; open enrollment; register any time before the session fills
Eligibility: Entering grades 9–12 in the fall, age 14+
Each day combines a generative creative-writing workshop (fiction, poetry, memoir, and more) with a "Writer's Theatre" component exploring performance and improvisation, led by Sarah Lawrence MFA students, one of the only programs in this section combining writing craft with a performance element.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a short, low-commitment week that blends writing with theatrical/performance work, not a purely page-based workshop.
Location: Virtual sessions available (also offers in-person options at Columbia)
Cost/Stipend: $1,100 per virtual session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Three one-week virtual sessions: July 6–10, July 13–17, and July 20–24, 2026
Application deadline: Online track: June 30, 2026
Eligibility: Secondary school students (public, private, or faith-based); no junior high/middle schoolers
Run by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (a separate nonprofit co-hosted at Columbia, not Columbia's own pre-college program), each virtual week focuses on a specific track (News Reporting and Writing, Editorial Leadership, or Digital Media) taught by veteran student-journalism advisers and working journalists.
Who it's best for: A student journalist already working on a school newspaper or yearbook who wants skills directly applicable to that publication, not general creative writing.
Location: Online (live, synchronous)
Cost/Stipend: $1,325
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 participants (secondary-sourced estimate); no application fee
Dates: August 3–7, 2026 (one week)
Application deadline: April 5–6, 2026
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders and the graduating class of 2026
Daily live Craft Sessions and Writing Labs led by UMass MFA/PhD creative writing candidates give students in-depth feedback in poetry or prose, with the online track intentionally designed as an equally rigorous alternative to (not a lesser version of) the in-person Juniper Institute.
Who it's best for: A student who applied or considered the competitive in-person Juniper Institute but wants (or was offered) the online-only track instead.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $995; no application fee; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; selective
Dates: June 14–19, 2026
Application deadline: April 13, 2026
Eligibility: High school students (exact grade/age range not fully specified in this run's sourcing beyond "high school")
Small, intensive workshops in a specific genre or craft focus meet daily for one week, led by writers affiliated with the Kenyon Review and Kenyon College's long-running Young Writers program, a shorter, more focused counterpart to Kenyon's separate 6-week Winter Online track.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a short, intensive one-week workshop with a strong literary pedigree, rather than a multi-week commitment.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here! (Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop: Should You Do It?)
Location: Fully online; no hybrid or in-person option; online students cannot live in campus housing
Cost/Stipend: $8,550 per course; financial aid available covering some or all of the fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: 6–8 weeks depending on course, within the summer term
Application deadline: Three rounds: Priority, Regular, and Extended (specific 2026 dates not confirmed this run; historically Priority ~January, Extended ~mid-April)
Eligibility: Current 11th or 12th graders only
Students complete the equivalent of a full year of language study (French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, or Ancient Greek in 2026) in a single intensive summer, studying alongside actual UChicago undergraduates at 90+ contact hours per course.
Who it's best for: A junior or senior seriously committed to accelerating language study (not a beginner-friendly taster); this is one of the most expensive and most intensive options in the entire mega-listicle.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here! (UChicago's Summer Language Institute: Should You Apply?)
6: Business, Leadership & Global Affairs
Entrepreneurship, public speaking, coding for social impact, and legal advocacy programs for students exploring leadership and career-oriented interests.
Location: Fully online
Cost/Stipend: Roughly $915 (group track) up to several thousand dollars for 1:1 mentorship, depending on format and duration (estimate range; this run did not confirm an exact published price list; confirm directly before publishing)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; not highly selective relative to Immerse's residential programs
Dates: Flexible; projects run 8–32 weeks depending on track, including summer start dates
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 13–18
Students are paired 1:1 or in a small group with a PhD-level tutor from Oxbridge or an Ivy League institution to complete a university-style research paper across 20+ subjects, with accredited options available carrying 8 UCAS points (UK) or 3 U.S. college credits, and an optional publication-support track.
Who it's best for: A student who wants sustained one-on-one research mentorship with real accreditation options but doesn't need Immerse's flagship residential experience; pricing and exact terms vary enough by track that a family should get a specific quote before committing.
Location: Fully online (live small-group sessions + self-paced work)
Cost/Stipend: The published £5,995–£7,495 pricing applies to the residential track; a distinct virtual-specific price was not confirmed via direct fetch this run; confirm current online pricing directly, as it is expected to be lower than residential
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Two weeks, sessions running July–August 2026 (specific virtual cohort dates should be confirmed directly)
Application deadline: Rolling; joint student/parent application
Eligibility: Ages 14–18
A partnership between TED and Immerse Education, this program guides students through developing and delivering their own TED-style talk (covering storytelling, structure, evidence, and presence), culminating in a professionally recorded talk and personal portfolio; financial aid is available for both the in-person and virtual tracks.
Who it's best for: A student who wants to build public-speaking and idea-development skills specifically (not subject-matter research) in a shorter, two-week format.
Location: 100% online option available (alongside in-person residential/commuter tracks)
Cost/Stipend: Not published on the official page; contact the Ed Snider Center (kerdman@umd.edu) directly for current pricing; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: Runs each summer through Terp Young Scholars (2026 exact dates not confirmed this run; contact program directly)
Application deadline: Via Terp Young Scholars application; check oes.umd.edu for current dates
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (via Terp Young Scholars program eligibility)
Delivered as the 3-credit UMD course BMGT262 "Enterprising Leader," students work in teams to build a business model canvas and pitch a venture, developing entrepreneurial and leadership skills alongside real UMD Smith School faculty; the online track offers "interactive virtual activities that provide insights into the UMD experience" as an alternative to the residential/commuter options.
Who it's best for: A student interested in entrepreneurship who wants genuine UMD course credit, but a family should get exact online pricing and 2026 dates directly before planning around it, since neither was confirmed via direct fetch this run.
Location: Fully online (alongside an in-person option at New England Innovation Academy)
Cost/Stipend: $6,295 (online track)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: July 8–28, 2026 (3 weeks)
Application deadline: Not confirmed this run; historically opens in winter with rolling admission; confirm current cycle directly
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, minimum age 15 by session start
Students earn 4 real Babson College credits (course EPS 1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience) exploring the UN Global Goals through an entrepreneurial lens, covering leadership, marketing, finance, and business communication, taught using Babson's signature Entrepreneurial Thought & Action methodology.
Who it's best for: A student who wants genuine transferable college credit in entrepreneurship specifically, not just a certificate-based leadership program.
Location: Virtual (offered globally) or in-person at select U.S./international cities
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; competitive, application-based
Dates: Four 2-week sessions across the summer (e.g., June 1–12, July 6–17, July 20–31, August 3–14, 2026; exact virtual cohort dates should be confirmed directly)
Application deadline: Rolling; interest form and formal application both available; apply early as sessions fill
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive youth ages 13–18; no prior coding experience required
Scholars choose one of several tracks (Web Development, AI/Machine Learning, or Data Science) in a free, intensive two-week coding camp built specifically for students of traditionally underrepresented genders in STEM, with virtual scholars joining a genuinely global cohort.
Who it's best for: A girl or gender-expansive student new to coding who wants a completely free, structured two-week intensive rather than a self-paced course; note this is a different (shorter, application-based) program from Girls Who Code's self-paced Pathways in the STEM section.
Location: Virtual (live via Zoom), alongside two in-person sessions on UCLA's campus
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 (online session); in-person sessions cost $2,126
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; application-based (GPA and short-answer requirements)
Dates: Online Session C: August 2–8, 2026 (one week)
Application deadline: Rolling; apply via the program's application form
Eligibility: Ages 15–18 by session start, minimum 3.0 GPA
Run by coaches and alumni connected to UCLA's nationally competitive collegiate Mock Trial program (though formally administered through UCLA Anderson rather than UCLA itself), students learn courtroom advocacy (opening statements, cross-examination, objections) through live instruction, breakout courtroom simulations, and a final trial round, with no prior mock trial experience required.
Who it's best for: A student interested in law, debate, or performance who wants a genuinely interactive, live-taught week (not a passive video course); note this is the only law-adjacent program that survived Phase 4a verification for this pillar.
Frequently asked questions: online summer programs for high school students
What is the best summer program for high school students?
The best one is the one that produces something you can point to and connects to what you already study. Programs pairing you with a faculty or PhD mentor tend to beat lecture-only courses on that measure. If you want a mentored research project rather than coursework, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program matches you with a PhD mentor to produce an independent paper.
What are some free online courses for high school students?
Several programs on this list cost nothing, including MITES Semester, Girls Who Code Pathways, Stanford SPINWIP, Rice NeuroCamp, and Kode With Klossy. Harvard's CS50x and the MITx catalog are both free to audit, with certificates carrying a separate fee. Many paid programs also offer need-based aid, so cost alone should not narrow your list too early.
Can you earn college credit through an online summer program?
Yes, several programs here award genuine university credit that appears on an official transcript. Harvard, Cornell, Penn, Babson, Georgetown, and UC Berkeley all run credit-bearing online tracks for high schoolers. Credit courses cost considerably more than non-credit enrichment, since you pay university per-credit rates.
Are online summer programs open to high school juniors?
Yes, juniors have the widest range of options of any grade level. Some programs are junior-specific, including MITES Semester and Princeton's Summer Journalism Program, both of which require you to be a current junior. Others set a floor rather than a ceiling, taking students from age 13 upward.
When do applications for online summer programs open and close?
Most deadlines fall between January and May for the following summer, with the most competitive programs closing earliest. Princeton's Summer Journalism Program closes in late January for its most recent cycle, and Stanford AI4ALL closes in early February. Plenty of options run rolling admission right up to the start date If you are targeting a selective program, plan to apply in the autumn before.
Are there online summer programs for gifted students?
Yes, though the label matters less than the entry requirement. Johns Hopkins CTY gates most of its online courses behind qualifying test scores at the 98th percentile through its Talent Search. Stanford SUMaC serves a similar purpose without the label, expecting you to be comfortable with proof-based mathematics already. If neither fits, a mentored research program lets you set your own level of difficulty rather than testing into one.